Requires the use of body-worn cameras on certain correction officers

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Phara Souffrant Forrest and 3 co-sponsors

Requires body-worn cameras for selected correction officers to boost transparency and accountability in interactions with inmates.

PRINT NUMBER 336A

Overview

Bill Number: A 336

Title: Requires the use of body-worn cameras on certain correction officers

Status: PRINT NUMBER 336A (amendments filed; printed as 336A)

Introduced: January 8, 2025

Primary Sponsor: Chantel Jackson

Cosponsors: Demond Meeks, Emerita Torres, Phara Souffrant Forrest

Related/Companion: S 3633 (companion), with related Assembly bills A 9279, A 3054, A 4790, A 6001, A 3875 from prior sessions

Legislative Actions and Timeline

2025-01-08: Referred to Correction

2025-02-26: Amendments filed (T) and Recommit to Correction

2025-02-26: Printed as 336A (amended version)

Note: The provided text does not include the full statutory language or the scope of implementation. The actions indicate ongoing committee consideration and amendment activity, with the bill moving through the Correction committee process.

Core Purpose and Intent

The bill seeks to improve transparency and accountability within corrections operations by mandating the use of body-worn cameras for certain correction officers. This aligns with broader policy aims to document interactions between corrections staff and inmates, enhance safety, and assist oversight and investigations.

Key Provisions (As Indicated by Title; not all specifics are provided)

Mandate: Require body-worn cameras for selected correction officers.

Scope: The exact categories of officers (e.g., rank, assignment, or facility type) and the facilities covered are not specified in the excerpt.

Standards and Implementation: Specifics such as when cameras must be activated, deactivation allowances, and data retention are not included in the provided information.

Oversight and Compliance: No detailed provisions on monitoring, audits, or enforcement are included in the excerpt.

Who Is Affected

Correction officers designated by the bill’s definitions.

Correctional facilities and agencies responsible for administering and overseeing corrections.

Inmates and visitors who may be subject to recorded interactions.

Public accountability bodies and potential data privacy or records offices handling video footage.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

Accountability and Transparency: Increased documentation of interactions could aid investigations and oversight.

Privacy and Civil Liberties: Data handling, storage, access, and redaction policies would be important considerations.

Financial and Operational Implications: Costs for cameras, data storage, maintenance, and staff training; potential workflow changes in incident response and review processes.

Implementation Timeline: A336A would determine schedules, phased rollout, and any transitional provisions (not detailed in the provided text).

Next Steps for Readers

Monitor committee actions in the Assembly Correction Committee to see proposed amendments and final language.

Review the companion S 3633 for parallel provisions and any differences between the House and Senate versions.

When the full text is released, examine definitional scope (which officers, facilities), activation and retention requirements, access controls, and funding/implementation timelines.

If you’d like, I can compare A 336 with its companion S 3633 or map out a side-by-side of any publicly released text once available.

Bill